ETS costs cut 66% for forest owners – McClay
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
THE FREE Trade Agreement negotiated with Korea will cut $65 million in tariffs in its first year alone.
Korea is New Zealand six largest export destination, worth about $1.7 billion a year, with two way trade worth $4 billion.
Duties on New Zealand's current exports to Korea will be largely eliminated within 15 years after the FTA comes into force.
New Zealand and Korea will now complete domestic processes to ratify the FTA and bring it into force. A call for public submissions on the FTA will be made by the New Zealand Parliament as part of the ratification process.
Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the announcement on the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Republic of Korea on a Free Trade Agreement.
"Korea is one of New Zealand's biggest and most important trading partners," says Groser.
"The FTA will deliver real economic benefits for both our countries. It will create more opportunities for our business and will deliver cheaper products to consumers. It's a win-win agreement.
"There are positive outcomes for agricultural exports, as well as the forestry sector, the fisheries industry and exporters of all industrial goods. Government procurement, trade in services and investment are all subject to high quality commitments."
Further information is available at www.mfat.govt.nz/nzkoreafta
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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